Are those years creeping up on you? Are you seeing the signs of physical wear and tear making life just a bit harder? Have you heard of active aging?
No? Don't worry if you haven't! It's a relatively new concept and we had to get ourselves up to speed too. Now, we're here to do the same for you.
The concept of active aging has been brought to life over the last number of years, to address engagement in life as we age and tack on years.
We're going to focus on one aspect of it, which is active aging fitness. But first, let's take a look at what exactly active aging is.
What is Active Aging?
Active aging is defined by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) as: "...the vision of all individuals—regardless of age, socioeconomic status or health—fully engaging in life within all seven dimensions of wellness: emotional, environmental, intellectual/cognitive, physical, professional/vocational, social and spiritual." These aspects are all straightforward, but perhaps never before, have they all been sewn together in a holistic manner to provide a fuller perspective of our health as we age. This would be another case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. The International Council on Active Aging rounds out the concept, describing it as: "...the way we age by staying active, to the fullest extent possible, within all areas of life: physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, professional, environmental and social. Aging within these dimensions of wellness keeps us involved, alert and enjoying a productive life. The concept of active aging is summed up in the phrase “engaged in life.” Individuals can participate in life as fully as possible, regardless of socioeconomic status or health conditions, within the wellness dimensions."World Health Organization Definition
Then you might also hear the term "healthy aging." The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) employs the phrase "healthy aging." The World Health Organization defines it as: “...as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age”. Functional ability is about having the capabilities that enable all people to be and do what they have reason to value. This includes a person’s ability to:- meet their basic needs;
- learn, grow and make decisions;
- be mobile;
- build and maintain relationships; and
- contribute to society"
Active Aging Fitness- The Key to the Door of a Long Life
The 2 big factors that inhibit living an independent, healthy and active life as you age are loss of grip strength and falls. When thinking about health risks of aging, most people immediately think of falling. This is a legitimate, serious concern. I've seen the consequences of elderly people falling, and have heard many more stories. Let me tell you, the aftermath can be devastating. Coupled with falls, brittle bones can put you into the hospital and a therapy center for weeks, making for quite an unhappy time in life. Your muscles act as your body's armor. In a way, muscles are body armor. We'll save an in-depth discussion of this for another post. For now, trust us on this one. Not only do your muscles help to prevent broken bones, but they also perform another huge task that help avoid falls- stabilization. Strong muscles help stabilize you and provide steady balance, thus mitigating the risk of falls. What's the other main factor in active aging fitness and preventing falls?Grip strength
Yes, grip strength plays a massive role. Many people don't know this, but once you think about it, it's just common sense. Declining grip strength is one of the most accurate indicators of a loss of quality of life. If you don't have the grip strength to do common, every day, mundane tasks, your independence is threatened. So if you can't hold a coffee cup, open a cupboard, button a shirt, open a door, hold a knife or fork, this could be a troubling sign. Coupled with an inability to grip a railing, you're likely unable to care for yourself independently and may require professional care. But if you exercise, build some muscle and get fit, you'll reap all kinds of benefits, including but not limited to mobility, flexibility and balance. It's never too early, or too late, to start either. Studies have shown that adding an exercise habit and strength training to your life in your 40s, can pay dividends decades down the road. Even if you're in your 80s or 90s, you can still increase your muscle mass and strength. For example, working out with a weight vest can help manage osteoporosis. Additionally, let's not overlook the importance of mindset. Although physical fitness plays a pivotal role in active aging, your mindset becomes critical too. Of course if you're living in one of these 25 "best in wellness" communities you may have a distinct advantage. If you're not, don't worry. This study points out the huge impact of your mental health and mental resilience, saying "Psychological variables may contribute to more positive attitudes toward health and facilitate functionality." Furthermore, this quote brings the topic full circle, back around to, functionality. Let's take a look at what you can do, by staying fit, healthy, and strong, thus maintaining your functionality.
